Check controlled apparatus



011.9, 1945. w. BOWMAN -2,386,191

CHECK CONTROLLED APPARATUS 7 Filed July 10, 1942 r 2 Sheets- Sheet 1 T0 COIN EECEPf/ICZE r0 col/v ,SELECTOA ATTORNEY Filed July 10; 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I mvsmok .Bouwum nomination.

Patented Dot. 9, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,386,191 CHECK CONTROLLED APPARATUS Wade W. Bowman, New York, N. Y., assignor to Frostidrink Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application July 10, 1942, Serial No. 450,358

Claims.

structions, arrangements, combinations, and improvements herein shown and described.

The accompanying drawings, referred to herein and constituting a part hereof, illustrate one embodiment of the invention, and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved check controlled apparatus for the detecting and sorting of checks introduced into check operated mechanisms such as, for instance, coin operated vending machines. Another object is the provision of a check controlled apparatus which may be used with checkoperated mechanisms when the latter are to be actuated by checks or coins of more than one size or dehave been inserted, the coins required being of; different size and denomination. Still another object of the invention isto providea device for use with automatic vending machines and the like allowing the collection and segregation of tax money at the same time as the, collection of the purchase price for the article or commodity vended and permitting vending to take place only.

after both the tax money and purchase price have been inserted into the machine. vention further provides a coin control apparatus to receive coins of different size and denomination which is actuated only after coins totalling a predetermined sum have been inserted and The invention provides a coin dewhich will be actuated at that-time whatever the order in whichcoins have been inserted.

Of the drawings: i Fig. l is a vertical sectional view of a typical and illustrative embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of the embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 1; v V

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along line3-3 of Fig. 1;

10 Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view corresponding to the view of Fig. 1 and of the same embodiment but showing certain of the mechanism in a difierent position; i

Fig. 5 is a rear plan view of the invention with the mechanism in the position shown in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6--6 of Fig. 4; and

Fig. 7 is afragmentary vertical sectional view of the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 4 but adjusted for different circumstances of use.

In accordance with a presently preferred embodiment as herein illustratively shown, there is provided a coin chute on the back of an outer panel of a coin actuated mechanism, with a slot or coin opening through the panel for the insertion of coins into the machine by the purchaser. The coin chute extends slightly outwardly and downwardly from the back of the machine panel before turning directly down for the vertical fall of the coin and the bottom ofthe chute is normally closed by a pivotally mounted floor piece or block so that a coin falling to the bottom of the chute is retained until the floor piece is swung out of. blocking position and the chute bottom thus opened. A coin holder or cup is positioned under the chin slot and between the panel and the coin chute, and this cup is pivotally mounted by the same members as the block and on the same axis. The block is positioned substantially vertically beneath its pivotal axis while the coin holder is substantially laterally offset therefrom, and a counterbalance to the coin holder is laterally offset on the other side of the axis, whereby the block is normally positioned to close the bottom of the chute but is swung to open position by v the Weight of a coin in the coin cup. A coin detecting and sorting means is provided at the coin slot for detecting and separating coins of different denomination, the coins of one denomination being allowed to enter the coin chute while those of another fall into the coin holder. A locking device for the pivotally mounted coin holder and coin chute block assembly is provided in order to lock open the coin chute when a coin has been deposited in the coin holder and to release the lock when a coin passes through and out the bottom of the coin chute and again close the bottom of the coin chute. Thus a coin of a denomination routed to the coin chute will be held in the chute until a coin of a denomination routed to the coin holder has been deposited therein, whereupon the former coin is released and the coin chute again closed; while the reverse order of deposit of the coinswill cause the coin chute to be opened and retained open upon the deposit of a coin in the coin holder, and the subsequent1y-- deposited coin for the coin chute will pass through without obstruction or hesitation-andin so doing cause the closing of the coin chute.

therein are retained for a time sufiicient to insure the exertion of the necessary force by weight The -cin holder is so constructed that -coins deposited upon the pivotally mounted coin holder'andchute floor assembly, exit from the coin holder. The mechanism may bead-justed to require the deposit of several coins in the coin holder before operation of the device to open the coin chute by moving the block to open chute position:

It will beur-rd'e'rs'toodtl'iattlie foregoing general description and the following detailed description as well are exemplary and explanatory of the invention but-are not restrictive thereof.-

Referring now to the embodiment of the invention as illustratively shown in the accompanying drawings,- a coin actuated mechanism such as, f or instance; an automatic vending machine, may have a panel I!) having a slot or coin 'opening llconveniently located therein for the insertion-of tokens-or coins'astlie-pur'chaseprice oithear'ticle vended-by the-maehinee A' coin chute indicated generally by numeral I2 is fixed to the backof panl w at slot llg'and-thischute comprises the front-member I'3fa ieai membel M- andSide mem bers l5 and Hi joining the two.

A= plate-member 1 2 0 1s: pivotally mounted upon a horizontal -pin 2 l extending between the sides E5516 and carries "atits -lower extremity -an*in-- 'te'gral portion-22 which is adaptedto' cover and and thereafter they are allowedend of thefcoin holder-265w that'coins dropped inthe' holdenand hafivi'ng a tendency to bounce will be deflected back into the holder until they roltunderthe-bafil plate and into" chute 21 Anarm 39 is; hired to the top portion of plate 23- 'and-extendslaterally therefrom in' a direction opPQ ite to-th arm 25 and -a "weight 3| is Slidably- 'mounted'thereonas a counterbalance to the coin-holder- 2%. e

v A locking device is pro'vide'd for the pivotal as sembly 'compri'sing co'i-riholder 26 andthe plate 20iwith the coiri chute-block '22, and-this device comprises the locking member 33 "having the an inclined surface 41: which-is 'ada pted to beengaged by coins falling from the chute l2 when the bafile member is in its position beneath the lower opening of the coin chute. At its upper extremity the arm 35 has a finger 42, and this finger is adapted to engage a detent 43 fixed to arm 25 and forming an extension thereof on the other side of the plate member 20. A weight M is slidably positioned upon --arm--3E and counterbalances to'so'me' extent -tlie mass of bafile member 4%.

The coin detector and sorting means, as shown in detail in Fig. 6, comprise guide members 45 on the sides i 5,46 of the coin chute l2 adjacent the coin slot -H. These guide members extend from-panel i0 to a position closely adjacent to an upwardly extending integral lip portion 46 of the coin holder 28. The guide members serve to convey coinsof adiameter sufficient to engage them into the coin chute l2, while coins of a smaller diameter and not sufficient to engage the guide members fall directly from theslot: ll into thecoin holder 26 the "11p 46 serving to deflect thislatter type of -ccin' awayfrom chute l2 and into holder 25 even though inserted through'the slot with" considerable force;-

Theco'ins which fallin'to-and-through chute [2 are directed into-a chute'fiflarranged beneath the lower opening' of-ehute- 12-; r

The operation 'oi'the; present invention may be explained in connect-ionwith an'exa-mple of its use with an automatic vending machine which is constructed -to' receive a nickel as the purchase price of the-'-articles vendedf If it'is wished to increase the purchase-price to six'cents, or to collect a penny tax in connection with each nickel purchase, then itis'necess'ar to "allow the operation [iiule vendingmachine only upon" the deposit-of bothth'e nickel'and' the penny, and it is desirable that, after the deposit of both, the vending machi'newill-be actuated regardless of the order-inwhiclrthe nickel and penny have been inserted;

In' this eXample-ofthe operation of the invention-the'width 'betweehe guide members 45 will be such-that they 'wi ll beenga ged by a nickel insertedthrough sldt*l I which will be conveyed to chute" 62 while the guides will 'not be engaged by a penny and this coin will drop-into the coin holder 25. Thechuteiirfwill communicate with the col-n selectdr andactuating mechanism with which the vending machi ne is already equippedwhich causesth operationof the machine upon the introduction of a nickel.

The operatio'n'of 'theinvention will be'explained first in connection with the present example under the/circumstance in-wh'iciiithe nickel is introduced-into slot ll before the penny. The conditionor the-device urrder'these fa'ctsds shown in Figsl and 2, where thenickl-N'is shown as restingon the coin chute-fioor piece or block 22 after it has traveled theleng-tliof coin 'chute I 2. The penny P has just ben ins'erted th-roug'h slot ll but-has not-"yet' fallen into the coin-holder 26.

Under this condition the weight- 31" -ma-int'ai-ns the block 'z2- ever theiowerncereoin chute I2, preventing the-'dischafige of nickel N; and likewise maintains coin holder 25 inits uppermost position? At thi's'tiiifil' 1S6- tlie fil lgef 42'has 'engage ment'against-the' 'face 01: detent -43', 'Which has no locking 'or impeding efiect upon the freedom" of arm 25" and plate member'- 2 0 to pivot 'about pin 2 I".

Whenthe'periny P has fallen' into coin holder zfig-"its weight- 1s sufficii'it td overcome the coun' terbalancing eff'ect of weight 3F causirigarm- 25 and plate-20 topivot' about the' 'axis' 0f--'p'i-n 2 I 22 to its position across the 2,386,191 This movement withdraws the block 22 and depresses the coin holder 26 to a lower position. The nickel N may then pass into chute 56 to actuate the vending machine, and the penny P will roll out of the open side of the coin holder and through chute 21 into a suitable receptacle (not shown). plate member 20 have raised the detent 43 so that finger 42, by reason of the weight 44, moves under detent 43 and is in a potential position to prevent the return of the coin holder to its upper position and the block 22 to its position across the mouth of coin chute I2. However, as the nickel N drops out of the coin chute |2 it strikes inclined surface 4| of the balfle plate 40, which swings the locking member 33, bringing finger 42 back to a position clear ofthe detent 43. The coin holder 26 may then return to its upper position and the block mouth of chute 2 and the device is in its normal or neutral position and in condition for the insertion of further coins.

When the order of insertion of the coins is reversed and the penny is inserted first, the device is placed and locked in a position for the unimpeded transmission of the nickel from the coin slot, H to chute 56, whereupon it is again unlocked and placed in its normal or neutralposition. This operation may be described in connection with Figs. 4 and 5, wherein a penny P. is shown at the time it has been dropped through slot H and is momentarily positioned in coin holder 26 before it rolls out the side and into chute 21. A nickel N is shown as it is inserted through slot Under these circumstances the weight of the penny P has overcome the counterbalancing efiect of weight 3| and caused the depression of coin holder 26, which simultaneously withdraws block 22 from the mouth of chute I2. Detent 43 is also raised and finger 42 is positioned thereunder because of the biasing effect of weight 44 upon the locking member 33. Thus, although the penny P' will immediately roll out of holder 26 into chute 21, the finger 42 under detent 43 will lock the coin holder in its lower position and the block 22 in its chute opening position. Thus nickel N may pass unimpededly through chute I2 and into chute 50, but in so doing will engage the inclined surface 4| of bafile plate 40. Looking member 33 will thereupon .be pivoted, finger 42 withdrawn from under detent 43, and the weight 3| will promptly return coin holder 26 and block 22 to their normal or neutral positions.

Fig. 7 shows the device in slightly different adjustment as the weight 3| is positioned further out on the arm 39, whereby a-greater weight in coin holder 26 will be required to move the holder to its lower position and the block 22 to open chute position. Thus the weight 3| may be adjusted to require, for instance, the weight of two pennies in the coin holder in order to be overbalanced. In this case a single penny deposited in the holder may not roll out the side of the holder because of engagement with bafile plate 28, but the deposit of an additional penny causes the holder 26 to move to its lower position and both coins may roll under the bafile plate and into chute 21. It is apparent that the device may be adjusted and proportioned for other coins or checks than pennies andfor three or more such checks.

The invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific mechanisms shown and described but departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the accompanying claims without departing from the principles of the in- The pivotal movement of arm 25 and 3 vention and without sacrificing its chief advantages.

What I claim is:

1. A coin control apparatus comprising, in combination, a coin chute, a block having chute blocking and open positions, a coin holder coinoperated to move the block to open chute position, means for moving the block to chute blocking position, a restraining device for preventing such movement of the block, said restraining device being released to permit chute-blocking movement of the block upon passage of a coin in the chute past the block, a coin opening through which coins of different diameters areintroduced, and means for directing coin of one diameter to the holder and coin of another diameter to the chutei 2. A coin control apparatus comprising, in combination, a coin chute, a block having chuteblockingand open positions, a coin holder coinoperated to move the block to open-chute position, means for retaining the block inopen-chute position until passage of a coin directed to the the chute past the block, means for moving the block to chute-blockin position, means for releasing said retaining means whereby the block is permitted to move into chute-blocking position upon such passage of a coin past the block, a coin-opening through which coins of different diameters are introduced, and means for directing a coin of one diameter to the holder and a coin of another diameter to the chute.

3. A coin control apparatus comprising, in combination, a coin chute, a block having chuteblocking and open positions, a coin holder coinoperated by deposit therein of a predetermined value ofcoin to move the block to said openchute position and thereby to permit the coin therein to discharge from the chute, locking means for holding the block in said open-chute position, means operated by passage of a coin past the block to release said locking means and thereby permit the block to move to chute-block ing position, means for so moving the released block, a coin openingthrough which coins of different diameters are introduced, and means for directinga coin of one diameter to the holder and a coin or another diameter to the chute.

4. A coin control apparatus comprising, in combination, a coin chute, a block having chute blocking and open positions, a coin holder coinoperated by deposit therein of a predetermined value of coin to move the block to open chute position, means for retaining the block in open chute position after deposit of the predetermined value of coin in the coin holder, means for moving the block to chute-blocking position, means for releasing said retaining means whereby the block is permitted to move into chute-blocking position upon passage of a coin directed to the chute past the block, a coin-opening through which coins of difierent diameters are introduced, and means for directing a coin or one diameter to the holder and a coin of another diameter to the chute.

5. In a coin control apparatus, in combination, a coin holder, a coin chute, coin sorting means for directing coin of one diameter into the coin chute and coin or another diameter into the coin holder, coin chute closing means normally closing the coin chute to prevent exit of coins from the coin chute, means for opening the coin chute operated upon deposit of a predetermined value of coin in the coin holder, locking means for locking the closing means open when: whe redetermined: value has beez' i de posited in the coin holder and means for unletk ing said locking means to permit said closing mear-is to fir'ettirri to normalcom chute closing pesitio'n where n eoinasses tnrougn tneg eoin 6.: In :a, coin control-apparatus; in rcoinbination; means torc-deteetmgz and: sorting coins of difierent diameter'si a 'eoirr hold'er: movable by :the" weight ofa predetermined quantityof coin of one'diam' eter, a eoini'chiite for receiving-"coins of another diameter,- chute c1osing meansnor'mally urgedtto chute-closing zposition,: said.-closihg means being movable- 'with 'the' coin holde'rt'to "open the chute when saidapredetermined quantity :of'coin is re ceived in 'the'holde'r; a locking deviceifor main taining the chute in open conditiom-said'locking v meansheing movable by travel of a coin through theopen chute to reiease'the chute-closing means and permitfsame to return to chute-closingkpdsition.

7."In-a coin control apparatus; in combination, a coin chute,- closing means normally closing the coinchnteto prevent exitof coins therefrom openable-to allow exit of coins, control means for opening-the closing means by 'coins totalling a predetermined valueycoin detecting and sorting means for directing" coins of one diameter into thecoinchute and coins of another diameter-to the-control;means, and locking means for maintaining-v-the-closing means-open after opening by the control means-andal-lowing the'closing means to close-after passage of a coin through the coin the coin' holding member-docking means engage:-

abl e withthe closing member ior locking-said member in openposition after'deposit of=the premeans: whereby the closing slii p to nomingly engage tne' aetent escent determined valile in coin in the coinv holding member; and lock tripping 'means connected to the lowing-means to ice engaged by coins passing through the; coin "chute to disengage: the locking member: may return co-closing positionw 1 9. A- coin control'=apparatus comprising," in combination; a coin chute, a block having chute blodk i'fig end :O- en positions normally biased to the' chute blocking pos'ition', a coin hold'er con-- nected to the block coin operated by a predetermined weight oicoln irr'the'holder to move the bionic to :open cnnte" position, a lockin'g member engag'eable w h -the block after deposit 'ofthe predetermined 'weight of coin "in the holder to hoid tne bloelc l in op'en :chute position," a lock tripping member connected tothe locking memher and eng'ageal1e by coins passing the block to disengage "thelocking .member whereby the blockmay be biased-m chute blocking position, a coin opening -=thro1;fghwhich coins 'of difieren t diameters are mtrddiicedfand 'ine'ans' for'directing coin ef one diameter to thehold'e'r' "and coin oflanotherrdiaxneter to the smite;

109A m": control ap aratus comprising in combination; a coin chiitej a block'in the chute havihg' chnt 'bl0ckihg"- and 'open po'sitions normany 'weigl-itbiased to chute blocking position, a coin holder eonnectedtothe block" coin operated bya predetermined-weight of coin in the holder to move the bl'ock' against the weight bias to open chute positionja-detent connectedto the coin homer'and lolockg afing'er weight biased to nor mally engage the dete'nt nOn-hdldihg relationafter 'deposit ot-the predetermined weightof coin in the holder and'retainthe block in cnute o en position; a tripping member on the finger to be enga ed by coins in the-chute ipassing theblock to return the Qfin'g'er to" non -holding engag'ement "with the detent Wher'eUY'themlQeK may 'be returned by weight"b-ias to chute blocking position, a "coin opening throughv which coins "of different sizes are introduced; and 'means for directing coins of one=sizeto the coin holder and-coins of another siz'eto the chute;

' WADE -W."BOWMAN:' 

